Cannes Lions – How to get it right first-time
If this is your first Cannes Lions, you might be feeling a little apprehensive. It’s the festival with the biggest hype in the adtech calendar, after all. So whether you’re wondering what to wear, where to eat or who to meet, we’ve got you covered. From booking flights and accommodation to knowing the best spots to relax and recharge, here are a few tips to help you navigate the festival like a pro.
Plan for Cannes
Our first and biggest piece of advice is to plan ahead to make the most of the week. In a place where creativity, innovation, and networking come together – it pays to plan.
First thing’s first: if you haven’t already booked your flights and accommodation, you need to get these finalised ASAP. Cannes is not a big city, and hotels and airbnbs get booked quickly. The good news is, there are plenty of options a little outside of Cannes if you don’t mind a short commute each morning. Antibes and Nice both have direct train links, for example.
Flights to Cannes are frequent, but prices rise (significantly) for the week of the festival. If you haven’t already confirmed your air travel, you could consider getting the train (boosting your sustainability creds in the process). It’s a leisurely start to a hectic week ahead.
Before you go
As we move into March, it’s already time to consider your plan of attack. What are your main objectives? Who do you want to meet? It pays to plan, but be nimble and prepared enough to accommodate inevitable last-minute changes to schedules during the festival week.
The more meetings you can confirm in advance, the better. If you know you have clients or contacts attending, get in early and book some time in their calendars now to secure your slot. Add mobile contact details where possible, so you can liaise during the week as the craziness of Cannes really kicks in. You can agree location details closer to the event but having time penned in is crucial. Ensure you have all events, panels, meetings and parties you want to attend visible in a calendar on your phone, so you know where you have gaps. This will also help you spot where there might be any clashes so your team can divide and conquer.
The lay of the land
While the actual Lions festival takes place at the Palais, a lot more happens outside of its doors.
When you arrive, we’d recommend a quick recce of the Croisette to find your bearings. From the Amazon Port and yachts in the harbour at one end, to the glitzy Hotel Martinez at the other – and everything else in between, including the Palais. Be prepared to walk!
You will spend most of your week on the Croisette. On one side, you have the big tech beaches – think Stagwell, Google, FreeWheel and Snapchat. On the opposite side are hotels, hosting the likes of Beet.TV and Infillion on their lawns, and agencies and media partners in penthouses. Just off the Croisette there will be a host of smaller venues offering more intimate panels and discussions in apartments.
Some companies may even rent villas just outside of Cannes (think VideoWeek), so ensure you have some local Taxi numbers to get you there and back on time. Some hosts will put cars on to get you there. Again, it’s all in the planning!
Even if you have no internal SatNav, it’s super easy to get around.
The Vibe
Yes, for some it’s a cold rosé in hand from 11am onwards, but for others it’s a 7am networking run along the beach. Do whatever works for you to get the most out of the week, because a good Cannes can set the tone for the rest of your working year.
It’s loud, it’s busy and so much fun, but remember to carve out some pockets of time to review your strategy, check your emails, hydrate and make follow-up appointments when you can. Pace yourself, eat healthy where possible, take breaks, and hydrate a little more.
A few essentials
Laptops and phones are in overdrive all week, so don’t get caught out with a low battery and no venue confirmed for your next meeting. Many venues offer charging points, but a portable charger is an essential piece of kit in Cannes.
Comfy shoes/sandals also come high up the list because you will spend every day on your feet and rack up a step count to be proud of. Trainers are also fine and worn by many – it’s still adtech, after all.
It can get hot (take a hat and sunscreen), it can rain, but if you’ve packed like a pro, you’ll be covered for all eventualities. On this note, smart/casual clothes are fine – but we’re still working and trying to make a good impression on those new-found contacts, so leave your ‘short’ shorts at home.
Top Meeting Locations
Everyone has their favourites, but here are a couple of ours to help you get started.
Café Roma – A classic spot known for its relaxed atmosphere and strong Wi-Fi, perfect for impromptu business meetings and lunch.
Amazon Port– as you’d expect, this is a large popular space near the Palais, with lots seating, shaded areas, ideal for informal business meetings as well as some great free panel speaker sessions (sign up required for access).
Head to the back streets, off the Croisette, to find an abundance of quieter cafes and coffee shops for ad hoc meetings and breaks. Cannes is a top holiday spot for the other 360 days of the year, so it caters really well
Parties
Of course Cannes wouldn’t be Cannes without a party or two. Expect star-studded events and industry shindigs every night of the festival. Look out for invitations from industry giants or network early to secure your spot at the hottest events and on some of those infamous cocktail hours on yachts. And for an iconic Cannes Lions nighttime networking experience, head to the Gutter Bar and the Baoli Beach Club, where we’re sure you’ll bump into familiar faces and make plenty of new friends.
As a first-time visitor to the Cannes Lions Festival in 2025, your trip should be filled with inspiration, networking and unforgettable experiences. Just remember to stay cool, stay healthy, and, most importantly, enjoy the incredible atmosphere. We’ll see you there, make sure you say hi or get in touch to organise a meet-up here!